Business ethics based on puritanism/calvinism in Robinson and Gulliver I, IV

[pitaszek]

How would you refer to that topic? All is about the enlightenment and how american puritanism and calvinism conditiones business ethics in Robinson Cruzoe, Gulliver's Travels (Book I and IV) and other novels/works connected with strictly with business and both Am. purtitanism and Calvinism.

Thanks for any response posted.

[dfloyd]

Having read both the Defoe and Swift work, it seems, IMO, soemwhat nonsensical to me. Both of these authors were iconclasts of their day, and I don't see how they could relate to such Protestant religions, let alone business ethics. If this is teacher selected, it is certainly a reach beyond how these writers are usually perceived.

[kiki1982]

Firstly I want to state that I haven't read those books, but I did see something on Scottish frame of mind once that put forward the idea that due to their Presbitarian/Calvinistic mindset, Scottish people have felt guilty about having money spending it for themselves, having any enjoyment whatsoever (even dancing and laughing was a problem) adn that kind of stuff. Following that, one might draw the conclusion that it is not good for people to want money more than they need, and it is certainly a nono to get too much carried away with it (if one has it, then one needs to be modest with and about it).

That said, I have read Moll Flanders which did feature some critical spirit towards wanting money, however that was directed towards keeping stealing despite having a nice stock (the addictive nature of that activity). Defoe apparently did not find it bad for a slave to come off the boat 'double' as she was carrying a baby or for Moll to überhaupt want money by itself, to live; or for that matter to go off to Virginia and have a huge estate with slaves and everything, plus a husband who is a landed gentleman, and pretty useless in the lucrative respect.

I think I have to agree with Dfloyd on this subject. It is something that really is a topic for a PhD or at least a dissertation, done over several eras and a huge load of books in order to draw a conclusion (if there is one to be found). Only involving two books is a little meagre and could point to a conclusion that is none at all. Have those two somethingto do with each other anyway?

Ok, apparently Swift might have parodied Robinson Crusoe with Gulliver's Travels, but does that really mean something?

[pitaszek]

I went through the topic on my business english american/english literature and it seems that Puritanism is an anwser to my own question. As kiki1982 has noticed it's hard to talk about business/work ethics on the example of Gulliver's Travels but we can see there the influence of puritan (who are bussines-oriented) attitude expressed in the will of changing the world. Puritans felt themselves to be chosen ones who are to reorganise the society. Gullivers also dreams of society organised in a way the state of Houyhnhnms was. I may be wrong as it could had not been dictated by puritan vision but simply by his reluctance to England and way of it was governed which he mocked there. I dont know why Gulliver was chosen to be a part of my business course.

Robinson seems to have much more in common with business and puritan principles which are:

Other notable beliefs of Calvinists include: (from Wikipedia)

* An emphasis on private study of the Bible (Robinson did so when he found a Bible in a wrecked ship)
* A desire to see education and enlightenment for the masses (Robinson regrets that he had not been learing and know he lacks basic knowledge; at the end he allows great part of his money for sholarships)

Robinson was God-gearing person gracefull for any finding encoutered and for things managed to do with his own hands. There was a lot about the money and business from the very beginning.

If someone is interested in business/work ethics of Purtians/Age of Reason he should get acquainted with writings of Benjaming Franlik (The Way to Wealth and stories (i think) Rags to Richies. Knowledge about Calvinist principles T.U.L.I.P. may also be very helpful as well as the set of Puritan rules. (Puritanism is a less strict form of Calvinism.)